hmmm im actually more into starting small.. is it really possible to use freshwater goldfishes as baits to fish at saltwater ponds or in the sea?

im looking to catch smaller fishes at the start similar to peacock bass at freshwater.. any recommendations?

thus far i have tried fishing at labador park with dead prawns and live prawns at pasir ris main pond... but both no catches... i used float type rigging.

is it the bait is too big for the smaller fishes? cuz i have a few times the bait sinking dwn , seems like pulling by smaller fishes... then no hook ups at all... when i reel back, the live prawn alrdy dead... head sometimes peel off... legs gone... but still intact at the tail part with the hook...

You can use it although they won't last long in even with the low salinity in the commercial ponds. Anglers usually use mollies, small tilapias or milkfish for pond fishing. For peacock bass, you can try earthworms. I haven't met a cichlid that says no to it. But bear in mind that if you're fishing in a reservoir, only artificial baits may be used. Check out this recent Peacock CR by SGPU.

Regarding your use of prawns, it's usually attacked by small fishes like the many Chromides in commercial ponds. If you use live prawns with float in the sea, it shouldn't get nibbled off too frequently unless you fish very close to breakwaters. And very often, todaks (needlefish) will attack the prawn and try to run away with it. But when it senses the tension of your line, it may let go thus resulting in your prawn in the state you described.

Depending on the "length" of the worm and hook size ...
If worm too long ... cut the worm.
If hook small ... cut the worm.

I don't enjoy using all worm baits be it wat wat or sarong ...
But you'll be amazed at their attractiveness to fishes.
Why not get a pkt of it and try ?
Sometimes ... it is fun just to find out ... how it feels to fish with worms !
Just be more careful when handling ... it should be fine.
Don't forget to leave one end of the worm wriggling ...

I have been bitten by sarong worms before, just a sting but it didn't cause any irritation; more like a needle prick. Now I have a little bit of worm phobia ever since I got stung by mutliple bristles from fireworms. For sarong worms, you can use it whole but most people cut it into small pieces that just covers the entire hook.